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Horse Racing News and Commentary |
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NBC Sports Preakness Stakes picks |
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Written by Gohorsepower.com
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Friday, 18 May 2007 |
 Last week the Kentucky Derby got its best ratings in six years. This weekend the quest for the Triple Crown continues, and NBC's Preakness Stakes coverage on Saturday, May 19, begins live at 5 PM Eastern. Post time is 6:09 PM. Bob Neumeier: "I don't like Hard Spun this week"; Mike Battaglia: "Hard Spun to win"; Gary Stevens: "I have no reason to shy away from Street Sense."
NEW YORK – May 17, 2007 – NBC Sports thoroughbred racing handicappers Bob Neumeier and Mike Battaglia and analyst Gary Stevens share their picks for Saturday's Preakness Stakes.
NEUMEIER: 1. Circular Quay 2. Street Sense 3. Curlin. I like Circular Quay to bounce back after a disappointing Derby. He was coming off an eight week layoff, and I think he needed the conditioning of that race. That's not a knock against Street Sense; he could easily win the Preakness. Curlin had a bit of a bad trip in the Derby, I think he's going to run well on Saturday. I don't like Hard Spun this week. I think there are other front speed horses like Xchanger and Flying First Class who might soften him up near the lead.
BATTAGLIA: 1. Hard Spun 2. Street Sense 3. Curlin. It's a flip of the coin – I thought Street Sense got such a great trip in the Derby, if he had had even a little bit of trouble, Hard Spun would have won the race. Also, Hard Spun is the better price, so there is more value.
STEVENS: 1. Street Sense 2. Hard Spun 3. Circular Quay. I have no reason to shy away from Street Sense after his Derby win last week, but it won't be a walkover for him. Pimlico plays a little more favorably to speed horses, but Street Sense will be tough to catch. Todd Pletcher has never had a Derby starter run in the Preakness, but Circular Quay was coming off of an eight week layoff, and the Derby could actually work as a prep race for him for the Preakness.
Again, The 132nd Running of the Preakness Stakes will be broadcast in high definition beginning at 5 PM Eastern.
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